Comments on: Plant bacteria breakthrough enables crops worldwide to take nitrogen from the airhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air
Accelerating IntelligenceSat, 10 Dec 2016 00:21:36 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1By: vacuumhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-241446
vacuumWed, 04 Dec 2013 11:56:49 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-241446examine the genus Elaeagnus . It is a nonlegume plant genus that fixes nitrogen, possibly via a different method than the symbiotic relationship that legumes have with the bacteria Rhizobia.
One of the species of Elaeagnus is Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) . It was planted widely for land reclamation on mining sites during the 1930s as one of FDR's socialist make work projects. And now it is an ecological nightmare, much like everything else FDR did. It is considered an invasive species in North America, including Canada. It can grow pretty much anywhere and vigorously. It has suckering rhizomes, and birds transmit the seeds of its fruit. It very difficult to eradicate because of its rhizomes and thorny, tough wood. It is also resistant to many herbicides.
It might be possible that weeds would undergo an adaptation as a result of becoming inoculated with this nitrogen bacteria. In due course, these mutated weeds produce their seed, which get distributed by birds, insects and animals. And then the whole world is a jungle of weeds. And just wait until the cockroaches eat the seeds of these weeds. If you think your favorite pub serves its greasy mixed-grill platter from a filthy kitchen now, well you ain't seen nothing yet.
It is one thing to apply nitrogen fertilizer and something very different to alter biology and micro-ecology with the intention of providing nitrogen.
Incidentally, it was the advent of nitrogen fertilizer not that many decades ago that allowed farmers to switch from buckwheat to wheat. Buckwheat is much better for the environment as it does not require heavy use of herbicides and pesticides because it has a very quick and short growth cycle. Whereas wheat sits in the field for months and is particularly susceptible to rusts and weed competition. And also, buckwheat provides food for pollinators, which are in short supply these days thanks to microbiology's ingenious pesticides and GMO crops. Also, buckwheat is very nutritious for humans. ..... So, you need to consider that with this new method of nitrogen, farmers will be planting new crops. This will affect the environment in unforeseen ways.
What the London bankers haven't already destroyed, the UK Doctor Moreau will.examine the genus Elaeagnus . It is a nonlegume plant genus that fixes nitrogen, possibly via a different method than the symbiotic relationship that legumes have with the bacteria Rhizobia.

One of the species of Elaeagnus is Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) . It was planted widely for land reclamation on mining sites during the 1930s as one of FDR’s socialist make work projects. And now it is an ecological nightmare, much like everything else FDR did. It is considered an invasive species in North America, including Canada. It can grow pretty much anywhere and vigorously. It has suckering rhizomes, and birds transmit the seeds of its fruit. It very difficult to eradicate because of its rhizomes and thorny, tough wood. It is also resistant to many herbicides.

It might be possible that weeds would undergo an adaptation as a result of becoming inoculated with this nitrogen bacteria. In due course, these mutated weeds produce their seed, which get distributed by birds, insects and animals. And then the whole world is a jungle of weeds. And just wait until the cockroaches eat the seeds of these weeds. If you think your favorite pub serves its greasy mixed-grill platter from a filthy kitchen now, well you ain’t seen nothing yet.

It is one thing to apply nitrogen fertilizer and something very different to alter biology and micro-ecology with the intention of providing nitrogen.

Incidentally, it was the advent of nitrogen fertilizer not that many decades ago that allowed farmers to switch from buckwheat to wheat. Buckwheat is much better for the environment as it does not require heavy use of herbicides and pesticides because it has a very quick and short growth cycle. Whereas wheat sits in the field for months and is particularly susceptible to rusts and weed competition. And also, buckwheat provides food for pollinators, which are in short supply these days thanks to microbiology’s ingenious pesticides and GMO crops. Also, buckwheat is very nutritious for humans. ….. So, you need to consider that with this new method of nitrogen, farmers will be planting new crops. This will affect the environment in unforeseen ways.

What the London bankers haven’t already destroyed, the UK Doctor Moreau will.

]]>By: vacuumhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-241445
vacuumWed, 04 Dec 2013 11:43:37 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-241445plants need nitrogen, potash and phosphorous. This UK bacteria does not fix potash. So, there is no relation.plants need nitrogen, potash and phosphorous. This UK bacteria does not fix potash. So, there is no relation.
]]>By: Astrojensenhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177124
AstrojensenSat, 03 Aug 2013 08:20:40 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-17712499% of people who don't work in farming doesn't give a rat's ass about it, despite the fact, that it produces almost all their food. Therefore, this isn't top news to most news agencies, just ho-hum science (meaning boring) news that you can put in somewhere, where you have a place to fill. Farmers, to whom this is world-class news, have their own newspapers and professionals journals.99% of people who don’t work in farming doesn’t give a rat’s ass about it, despite the fact, that it produces almost all their food. Therefore, this isn’t top news to most news agencies, just ho-hum science (meaning boring) news that you can put in somewhere, where you have a place to fill. Farmers, to whom this is world-class news, have their own newspapers and professionals journals.
]]>By: Editorhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177123
EditorSat, 03 Aug 2013 06:27:15 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-177123I just posted the paper abstract at the bottom of the article. They investigated maize (Zea mays), rice (Oryza sativa), wheat (Triticum aestivum), oilseed rape (Brassica napus), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), and white clover (Trifolium repens).I just posted the paper abstract at the bottom of the article. They investigated maize (Zea mays), rice (Oryza sativa), wheat (Triticum aestivum), oilseed rape (Brassica napus), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), and white clover (Trifolium repens).
]]>By: Richard Sittelhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177113
Richard SittelSat, 03 Aug 2013 03:01:40 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-177113Excellent point about the growing season, I live in Honduras, Central America, and I have some sugar cane here on my property, I wonder if it has the same bacteria, a different one, or none at all. To bad there isn't an educated person within 50 miles of here that I could ask. Oh well, it's cheap here and the girls are hot. The growing season here is 12 months of the year and the coldest it ever gets in January is about 60F. I haven't worn long pants in 7 years, since I left the US.Excellent point about the growing season, I live in Honduras, Central America, and I have some sugar cane here on my property, I wonder if it has the same bacteria, a different one, or none at all. To bad there isn’t an educated person within 50 miles of here that I could ask. Oh well, it’s cheap here and the girls are hot. The growing season here is 12 months of the year and the coldest it ever gets in January is about 60F. I haven’t worn long pants in 7 years, since I left the US.
]]>By: Nickhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177110
NickSat, 03 Aug 2013 02:47:07 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-177110Its revolutionary, but it is not black and white. Nitrogen sources are easily available. This is just 'better'. But it gets me excited as being really good work.Its revolutionary, but it is not black and white. Nitrogen sources are easily available. This is just ‘better’. But it gets me excited as being really good work.
]]>By: Nickhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177109
NickSat, 03 Aug 2013 02:44:30 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-177109Sucrose in sugar cane seems to be a denser easier to use energy source for this bacteria, than the regular chemicals in plants. One might have the same bacteria already in something like sugar beets. I suspect most plants have almost no free sugar floating around. Also the growing season in the tropics would be continuous allowing a sustained bacterial colony, while in the higher latitudes growing conditions are seasonal, with die-offs each year.Sucrose in sugar cane seems to be a denser easier to use energy source for this bacteria, than the regular chemicals in plants. One might have the same bacteria already in something like sugar beets. I suspect most plants have almost no free sugar floating around. Also the growing season in the tropics would be continuous allowing a sustained bacterial colony, while in the higher latitudes growing conditions are seasonal, with die-offs each year.
]]>By: Richard Sittelhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177107
Richard SittelSat, 03 Aug 2013 00:01:22 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-177107Here's a quote from a different article on the same subject:
"This technology comes at a cost of about 2% of a typical farm nitrogen fertiliser bill, and would also cut fertiliser transportation costs, he says."
That is very encouraging, I like it when they've done the math, hopefully
they did it right, right?Here’s a quote from a different article on the same subject:
“This technology comes at a cost of about 2% of a typical farm nitrogen fertiliser bill, and would also cut fertiliser transportation costs, he says.”
That is very encouraging, I like it when they’ve done the math, hopefully
they did it right, right?
]]>By: Richard Sittelhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177106
Richard SittelFri, 02 Aug 2013 23:21:57 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-177106As I understand the article, the bacteria are naturally occurring on Brazilian sugar canes. They take a little work to get them to attach themselves and inseminate other plants, thus the 10 years they've been working on the project. Also, even if the weeds were to get "infected" they would serve a similar purpose that planting alfalfa between corn harvests to get more nitrogen into the soil, it could be a good thing.
I'm still skeptical of the whole story, this is a revolutionary advance and should have been on the news worldwide all day everywhere, something must not be quite right?As I understand the article, the bacteria are naturally occurring on Brazilian sugar canes. They take a little work to get them to attach themselves and inseminate other plants, thus the 10 years they’ve been working on the project. Also, even if the weeds were to get “infected” they would serve a similar purpose that planting alfalfa between corn harvests to get more nitrogen into the soil, it could be a good thing.
I’m still skeptical of the whole story, this is a revolutionary advance and should have been on the news worldwide all day everywhere, something must not be quite right?
]]>By: Gorden Russellhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177096
Gorden RussellFri, 02 Aug 2013 19:48:51 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-177096Right, Kevin, this occurred to me when I first read the article. So why don't all the plants already have these microbes?Right, Kevin, this occurred to me when I first read the article. So why don’t all the plants already have these microbes?
]]>By: Astrojensenhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177095
AstrojensenFri, 02 Aug 2013 19:34:03 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-177095If these bacteriae could migrate to every plant nearby just like that, they would be everywhere by now. Besides, what would happen, if they did? The weeds would get nitrogen as well, just as they do now, when we use fertilizer. Unwanted, but not a direct disaster.
On a longer timescale (years) wild plants sensitive to overfertilization (correct term?) might get so threatened by competition by other self-fertilizing wild plants that they get to the brink of extinction. I hope this bacteria can't survive winters, for example, and the seeds will need to be treated, in order for it to work as intended. That would make it a safe method.If these bacteriae could migrate to every plant nearby just like that, they would be everywhere by now. Besides, what would happen, if they did? The weeds would get nitrogen as well, just as they do now, when we use fertilizer. Unwanted, but not a direct disaster.
On a longer timescale (years) wild plants sensitive to overfertilization (correct term?) might get so threatened by competition by other self-fertilizing wild plants that they get to the brink of extinction. I hope this bacteria can’t survive winters, for example, and the seeds will need to be treated, in order for it to work as intended. That would make it a safe method.
]]>By: Kevinhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177063
KevinFri, 02 Aug 2013 14:00:30 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-177063Seems tremendous and has the potential to rake in billions for the company that sells it. But then the thought hits me - what prevents these bacterial from migrating to every plant around them? Microorganisms have a way of doing this you know. If this happens, better pull your money out of the shares of this company.Seems tremendous and has the potential to rake in billions for the company that sells it. But then the thought hits me – what prevents these bacterial from migrating to every plant around them? Microorganisms have a way of doing this you know. If this happens, better pull your money out of the shares of this company.
]]>By: Astrojensenhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177043
AstrojensenFri, 02 Aug 2013 09:48:19 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-177043Monsanto doesn't produce fertilizer. Yara International, on the other hand, may not be so happy about this.Monsanto doesn’t produce fertilizer. Yara International, on the other hand, may not be so happy about this.
]]>By: Astrojensenhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177042
AstrojensenFri, 02 Aug 2013 09:44:30 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-177042Yes, Fritz Haber invented the first commercially viable technique to directly extract nitrate from the air and make it into a form usable for plants, namely ammonia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haber_processYes, Fritz Haber invented the first commercially viable technique to directly extract nitrate from the air and make it into a form usable for plants, namely ammonia.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haber_process
]]>By: Gorden Russellhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177028
Gorden RussellFri, 02 Aug 2013 01:58:15 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-177028Well, Many, the Oil Barons will always find a way to keep prices up...up until the very last moment before hydrogen fuel replaces all fossil fuels.Well, Many, the Oil Barons will always find a way to keep prices up…up until the very last moment before hydrogen fuel replaces all fossil fuels.
]]>By: Gorden Russellhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177026
Gorden RussellFri, 02 Aug 2013 01:54:14 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-177026That's what I was thinking, Kristof77. So much money is made from selling fertilizer, that those with large investments in fertilizer plants will try to stop Professor Cocking.
But so many others will want the N-fix bacteria, that the good Professor will be hard to stop.That’s what I was thinking, Kristof77. So much money is made from selling fertilizer, that those with large investments in fertilizer plants will try to stop Professor Cocking.

But so many others will want the N-fix bacteria, that the good Professor will be hard to stop.

]]>By: Chrispiumhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177016
ChrispiumThu, 01 Aug 2013 21:07:13 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-177016There's also the benefit of removing at least one component of a type of explosive that is used in IEDs.There’s also the benefit of removing at least one component of a type of explosive that is used in IEDs.
]]>By: Astrojensenhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177013
AstrojensenThu, 01 Aug 2013 20:36:31 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-177013As a farmer, this is the kind of news that has me on the edge of the seat. I know perfectly well that the N-Fix isn't going to be free, but it can cost a pretty penny per kg of seed and still be much cheaper than nitrogen fertilizer, which has gotten quite expensive. It's fantastic news, if they can make a successful product. Cheaper, greener, less pollution. What's not to like?As a farmer, this is the kind of news that has me on the edge of the seat. I know perfectly well that the N-Fix isn’t going to be free, but it can cost a pretty penny per kg of seed and still be much cheaper than nitrogen fertilizer, which has gotten quite expensive. It’s fantastic news, if they can make a successful product. Cheaper, greener, less pollution. What’s not to like?
]]>By: Kristof77http://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177010
Kristof77Thu, 01 Aug 2013 20:03:46 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-177010I'd bet my bottom dollar Monsato is prepairing a hostile take over and we'll never see come to frutition...... :(I’d bet my bottom dollar Monsato is prepairing a hostile take over and we’ll never see come to frutition…… :(
]]>By: Manyhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-177002
ManyThu, 01 Aug 2013 18:53:26 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-177002The Oil Barons are probably not a fan of this, but this should inevitably bring the cost of petroleum down right?The Oil Barons are probably not a fan of this, but this should inevitably bring the cost of petroleum down right?
]]>By: Vinhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-176995
VinThu, 01 Aug 2013 18:12:59 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-176995Interesting coincidence I agree. Could be the last gasp of a dying breed if this invention pans out?Interesting coincidence I agree. Could be the last gasp of a dying breed if this invention pans out?
]]>By: Vinhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-176993
VinThu, 01 Aug 2013 18:11:45 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-176993Didn't the last bloke who made a breakthrough in this area win a Nobel prize, er, he was called Haber something? Ended up feeding billions for decades later, and even to today, although he wasn't a perfect gent (worked on chemical weapons like chlorine gas WW1, later his work funded by the nazis).
But this new invention could actually have me tackling my overgrown garden for cultivating fresh fruit and veg! (That would be no mean feat).Didn’t the last bloke who made a breakthrough in this area win a Nobel prize, er, he was called Haber something? Ended up feeding billions for decades later, and even to today, although he wasn’t a perfect gent (worked on chemical weapons like chlorine gas WW1, later his work funded by the nazis).

But this new invention could actually have me tackling my overgrown garden for cultivating fresh fruit and veg! (That would be no mean feat).

]]>By: Cloudswresthttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-176991
CloudswrestThu, 01 Aug 2013 17:52:32 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-176991Cool! It could delay peak oil and reduce the price of gas!Cool! It could delay peak oil and reduce the price of gas!
]]>By: Satanhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-176985
SatanThu, 01 Aug 2013 17:09:21 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-176985some big Russian potash company breaking the oligopoly apparently...just heard about it yesterday. interesting timing, probably coincidence.some big Russian potash company breaking the oligopoly apparently…just heard about it yesterday. interesting timing, probably coincidence.
]]>By: brian Zhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-176977
brian ZThu, 01 Aug 2013 16:28:32 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-176977This is wonderful technology with great future. Does anyone know how, or where, to invest in order to participate in its future? Azotic is not publicly traded company.This is wonderful technology with great future. Does anyone know how, or where, to invest in order to participate in its future? Azotic is not publicly traded company.
]]>By: Ralph Dratmanhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-176976
Ralph DratmanThu, 01 Aug 2013 16:20:59 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-176976If this is 1) true, 2) usable in the real world, 3) safe... then this remakes the world. I have to admit to skepticism.If this is 1) true, 2) usable in the real world, 3) safe… then this remakes the world. I have to admit to skepticism.
]]>By: JFHhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-176962
JFHThu, 01 Aug 2013 15:03:09 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-176962Truly a game changing breakthrough. Not just for food production but also the benefit to the environment from reducing or even nullifying pollution from fertilizer runoff. I wonder how the fertilizer industry is taking this? They would have a HUGE stake in disproving this technology's effectiveness.Truly a game changing breakthrough. Not just for food production but also the benefit to the environment from reducing or even nullifying pollution from fertilizer runoff. I wonder how the fertilizer industry is taking this? They would have a HUGE stake in disproving this technology’s effectiveness.
]]>By: TimothyJhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-176959
TimothyJThu, 01 Aug 2013 14:45:21 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-176959Agreed, this is huge, a game-changer--on par with what Norman Borlog did with wheat. I'm divesting my shares of Potash and Mosaic.Agreed, this is huge, a game-changer–on par with what Norman Borlog did with wheat. I’m divesting my shares of Potash and Mosaic.
]]>By: Camaxtlihttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-176957
CamaxtliThu, 01 Aug 2013 14:38:58 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-176957Those who make synthetic nitrogen fertilizer need to consider applying their capital and expertise to biotech, or their investors need to divest and then invest in biotech companies.
The real key in this is the fact that they figured out, through 12 years of effort, to successfully get these bacteria inside the cells and have them survive and function as desired.
Now that has been accomplished, biotechnology can locate or modify bacteria to perform other beneficial symbiotic tasks in plant cells, such as help fight against viruses and other bacteria, act as energy producers, similar to mitochondria, protect the cells from pollution, so much more.
The possibilities are nearly endless.Those who make synthetic nitrogen fertilizer need to consider applying their capital and expertise to biotech, or their investors need to divest and then invest in biotech companies.

The real key in this is the fact that they figured out, through 12 years of effort, to successfully get these bacteria inside the cells and have them survive and function as desired.

Now that has been accomplished, biotechnology can locate or modify bacteria to perform other beneficial symbiotic tasks in plant cells, such as help fight against viruses and other bacteria, act as energy producers, similar to mitochondria, protect the cells from pollution, so much more.

The possibilities are nearly endless.

]]>By: Camaxtlihttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-176956
CamaxtliThu, 01 Aug 2013 14:32:21 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-176956This is astounding. If these bacteria can be symbiotically linked with seeds in bulk situations, it will be revolutionary. I sincerely hope this biotechnology, the expertise, processes and bacterial cultures will be provided to farmers in poor nations at no cost.This is astounding. If these bacteria can be symbiotically linked with seeds in bulk situations, it will be revolutionary. I sincerely hope this biotechnology, the expertise, processes and bacterial cultures will be provided to farmers in poor nations at no cost.
]]>By: Richard Sittelhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-176955
Richard SittelThu, 01 Aug 2013 14:32:13 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-176955This should be front page news, it's a major breakthrough if it's true.This should be front page news, it’s a major breakthrough if it’s true.
]]>By: Ed Paigehttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-176953
Ed PaigeThu, 01 Aug 2013 14:16:01 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-176953I think that someone who really knows what "proof of principle" is would not likely make the error of writing "proof of principal."I think that someone who really knows what “proof of principle” is would not likely make the error of writing “proof of principal.”
]]>By: Anthonyhttp://www.kurzweilai.net/plant-bacteria-breakthrough-enables-crops-worldwide-to-take-nitrogen-from-the-air/comment-page-1#comment-176951
AnthonyThu, 01 Aug 2013 14:06:37 +0000http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=201409#comment-176951This is bad news for those who make synthetic nitrogen fertilizer.
But this is very good news for the rest of humanity!
Good news indeed!This is bad news for those who make synthetic nitrogen fertilizer.
But this is very good news for the rest of humanity!
Good news indeed!
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